TIMBER CUTTING

Using a froe

This type of tool is known as a froe and is used for splitting wood for making roofing shingles, fence rails, palings, etc.

The cutting edge of the froe is placed on the piece of wood to be split and the top edge is hit with a wooden mallet or club. pounding the blade into the end of short logs, then quickly pulled back or pushed with the handle to split the wood   This is often enough to split the wood, otherwise the handle is used to lever it apart.

The larger froe has a thick blade about 12" long and was used for heavier work. The smaller froe has a much thinner blade and I've used it for splitting shingles.

Wood splitting is almost a lost craft and it can be a lot of hard work. But it's hard to beat standing under a roof you've made yourself and listening to the sound of the rain on the shingles

TIMBERCUTTERS TOOLS